As we construct this piece, which measures a delightful 14cm in height when worked with standard tension, we will focus heavily on our shaping mechanics. Velvet yarn is unforgiving of structural errors, yet it yields the softest, most charming creations when handled with authority.
Here is the grand creation.
About This Creation
This dragon is a masterclass in proportion. We are employing a strict 70/30 head-to-body ratio. To achieve the substantial cheeks that define the character’s innocent appearance, we utilize isolated asymmetrical increases rather than standard spherical rounds. This forces the velvet yarn outward at the jawline, creating a distinct, rounded face that sits perfectly atop the small, teardrop body.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Skill Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
⏱️ Estimated Time: 4 to 5 Hours
📏 Finished Size: Approximately 14cm tall
Materials
🧶 Chunky velvet or chenille yarn in Deep Midnight Blue (Main Color)
🧶 Chunky velvet or chenille yarn in Pastel Lavender (Accent Color)
🧶 Chunky velvet or chenille yarn in Celestial Ombré (Tummy and Spines)
🧶 4.5mm crochet hook
🧶 16mm black safety eyes
🧶 Polyester fiberfill stuffing
🪡 Large-eye yarn needle for assembly
✨ Gold embroidery floss (for stars and moons)
✨ Pink embroidery floss (for cheek blush)
Abbreviations
➡️ MR: Magic Ring
➡️ sc: single crochet
➡️ inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
➡️ dec: invisible decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
➡️ ch: chain
➡️ st/sts: stitch/stitches
➡️ BLO: back loops only
The Pattern
Head (Midnight Blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (42)
Round 8: (6 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (48)
Round 9: (7 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (54)
Rounds 10-14: 54 sc (54)
Round 15 (Cheek Shaping): 15 sc, (1 inc, 1 sc) x 4, 8 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc) x 4, 15 sc (62)
Rounds 16-19: 62 sc (62)
Insert safety eyes between Rounds 14 and 15, spacing them exactly 9 stitches apart. Ensure they are centered above the 8 sc gap created in Round 15.
Round 20: 15 sc, (1 dec, 1 sc) x 4, 8 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec) x 4, 15 sc (54)
Round 21: (7 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (48)
Round 22: (6 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (42)
Round 23: (5 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (36)
Round 24: (4 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30)
Begin stuffing the head firmly, paying special attention to the expanded cheek pockets.
Round 25: (3 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24)
Round 26: (2 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Body (Midnight Blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (36)
Rounds 7-9: 36 sc (36)
Round 10: (4 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30)
Rounds 11-12: 30 sc (30)
Round 13: (3 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24)
Rounds 14-15: 24 sc (24)
Round 16: (2 sc, 1 dec) x 6 (18)
Round 17: 18 sc (18)
Fasten off. Stuff the body firmly.
Tummy Patch (Ombré Yarn)
Round 1: ch 5. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 3 sc, 3 sc in the last ch. Rotate to work on the opposite side of the chain: 2 sc, 1 inc (10)
Round 2: 1 inc, 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 inc (16)
Round 3: 1 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc) x 3, 2 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (22)
Round 4: 22 sc (22)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Snout (Midnight Blue)
Round 1: ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in the last ch. Rotate to work on the opposite side: 3 sc, 1 inc (12)
Round 2: 1 inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)
Round 3: 18 sc (18)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Horns (Make 2, Lavender)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
Round 2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (6)
Round 3: 6 sc (6)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (8)
Round 5: 8 sc (8)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff lightly.
Ears (Make 2, Midnight Blue)
Row 1: ch 2, 3 sc in MR. Do not join round. Turn. (3)
Row 2: ch 1, 3 inc. Turn. (6)
Row 3: ch 1, (1 sc, 1 inc) x 3. Turn. (9)
Row 4: ch 1, (2 sc, 1 inc) x 3 (12)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Arms (Make 2, Midnight Blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 3 (9)
Rounds 3-6: 9 sc (9)
Stuff lightly. Pinch the opening flat.
Round 7: Crochet 4 sc through both layers to close (4)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Legs (Make 2, Midnight Blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: 18 sc in BLO (18)
Round 5: 18 sc (18)
Round 6: 6 sc, 3 dec, 6 sc (15)
Round 7: 15 sc (15)
Round 8: 5 sc, 2 dec, 6 sc (13)
Round 9: 13 sc (13)
Stuff the foot firmly, leave the top hollow. Pinch opening flat.
Round 10: Crochet 6 sc through both layers to close (6)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Tail (Midnight Blue)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
Round 2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (6)
Round 3: 6 sc (6)
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (8)
Round 5: 8 sc (8)
Round 6: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (10)
Round 7: 10 sc (10)
Round 8: (4 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (12)
Round 9: 12 sc (12)
Round 10: (5 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (14)
Round 11: 14 sc (14)
Round 12: (6 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (16)
Round 13: 16 sc (16)
Round 14: (7 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (18)
Rounds 15-18: 18 sc (18)
Fasten off, leave tail. Stuff firmly.
Spines (Make 7, Ombré)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
Round 2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (6)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Wings (Make 2, Midnight Blue)
Row 1: ch 11. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 9 chs. Turn. (10)
Row 2: ch 1, 8 sc, 1 dec. Turn. (9)
Row 3: ch 1, skip 1 st, 8 sc. Turn. (8)
Row 4: ch 1, 6 sc, 1 dec. Turn. (7)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Assembly
🪡 Sew the head to the body. Ensure the cheeks are perfectly centered over the front of the body.
🪡 Sew the tummy patch to the front of the body, spanning Rounds 4 through 14.
🪡 Sew the snout between the eyes, spanning Rounds 14 to 17 of the head.
🪡 Sew the horns to the top of the head, spanning Rounds 4 and 5.
🪡 Sew the ears to the sides of the head, attaching them securely between Rounds 8 and 11.
🪡 Sew the arms to the sides of the body at Round 16.
🪡 Sew the legs to the lower sides of the body at Round 5.
🪡 Attach the tail securely to the back of the body spanning Rounds 3 through 7.
🪡 Sew the spines in a line starting from the top of the head down the back to the tip of the tail.
🪡 Attach the wings to the back of the body, just behind the arms at Round 14.
🪡 Embroider stars and moons onto the wings, tummy, and forehead using gold floss. Embroider small pink lines under the eyes for blush.
